Govt seal on city master plan
S.M.A. Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 19
The popular basmati variety of the Dehradun valley had become near extinct with rapid urbanisation in the past two decades. Today, with official nod to the master plan for development of Dehradun, nearly 5,000 hectares of agricultural land in the valley will be consumed by urbanisation.

Out of the 11,700 hectares of registered agriculture land in the valley, only 7,650 hectares would remain under cultivation.

Grand Designs Two bus stands, one each for buses and trucks, besides 45 local bus stands and parking sites 583 hectares to be used for roads Two flyovers at IIP and Harawala railway crossings and five overbridges A 50-metre wide expressway to connect Jollygrant airport with the city Five hospitals of 100 beds each and two vet hospitals at Mehuwala and Chakrata road Two power stations with a capacity of 400 kw 11.50 hectares earmarked for solid waste management Ropeway and amusement parks

Practically, most agriculture land is already under urbanisation with residential colonies coming up in the length and breadth of the once serene valley, known for its basmati and litchi plantations.

On the status of villages like Majra and Niranjanpur that produced world-famous basmati rice, Uttarakhand chief town planner B.B. Rattan at a press conference said most of the agricultural land in these villages had already been converted into residential colonies.

“ There is no way to stop urbanisation and, hence, agricultural land in these villages will be converted into urban land,” Rattan explained.

He said a total of 2,200 hectares of agricultural land in these villages where basmati rice was once grown would be converted into urban areas.

Chief Minister B C Khanduri said as per the proposed master plan, a total of 14,639 hectares would be developed in and around the city for a projected population of 15.30 lakh by 2025.

To decongest the city and for planned developed, the master plan proposes two bus stands, one each for buses and trucks, besides 45 local bus stands and parking sites.

Further, a total of 583 hectares will be used for roads and 585 hectares for future roads in the valley. For the smooth flow of traffic, two flyovers at IIP and Harawala railway crossings and five overbridges will be built.

Seven roads in different parts, Rajpur Road near Anand Bhawan, the ISBT, Mahant Indresh Hospital, Raipur, near Canal Road and three from Haridwar Road to Nathanpur-Jollygrant are proposed.

A total of 15 bridges on various rivers and rivulets are also proposed to be built. To connect the Jollygrant airport with the city, a 50-metre wide expressway would be built for uninterrupted flow of traffic.

“ We also propose to link the express highway being built by Uttar Pradesh from Noida to Saharnapur with Dehradun,” said Chief Minister Khanduri.

The master plan proposes five hospitals of 100 beds each at Pondha, Marotha in Sahastradhara area, Sewlakalan Road near the ITBP, Nehru Gram near the expressway and the Mussoorie diversion road. Two veterinary hospitals will come up at Mehuwala and Chakrata road areas.

To meet the water requirements of the population till 2025, the master plan proposes to enhance the supply capacity to 2,500 lakh litres for at least 135 litres of water daily per person.

Similarly, to meet the power needs two power stations with a capacity of 400 kw are proposed to be commissioned. Land for pollution-free industries in Mohabbewala, Kuanwala and Raipur-Sahastradhara industrial estates have been earmarked. Land will also be given for IT-related industry.

To develop a ropeway between Dehradun and Mussoorie, adequate parking, restaurants and hotels will be developed at Shahanshai Ashram, Purukul village, near Rajpur.

Seven new sewerage systems taking into account the natural slant of the land will be developed. A total of 11.50 hectares have been earmarked for solid waste management.

A topiary park, a botanical garden, a bougainvillea park and amusements parks will also be developed to attract tourists.

The Chief Minister said every effort would be made to protect environment and the valley greenery. On every river and rivulet, it would be mandatory to have trees on both sides of the banks.

The city has been divided into 11 zones for planned implementation of the master plan.

“ The master plan will be implemented soon with the publication of notification as per the proposed recommendations approved by the government,” Chief Minister Khanduri announced.

Sikligars striving for a niche
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, November 19
Sikligar Mohalla on Gurdwara Road in downtown Dehradun needs no introduction. As many as 450 Sikligar families live in this locality. It is believed their ancestors were engaged in the manufacture and upkeep of weapons of the army of the Tenth Sikh Guru, hence the name “Sikligar”.

Poor litteracy levels, rising unemployment and social evils continue to plague the community. Despite Sikligar being accorded SC status in Punjab, the community’s struggle for a similar status in Uttarakhand continues.Only some Sikligar subcastes like Shipkar and Majabi have been accorded the SC status.

With khukri and kirpan no more in demand, the problem of unemployment among them has increased manifold. Dehradun’s khukri manufacturing factories, once their main source of employment, exist no more.

With time, the khukri industry turned sick leading to closure of these factories rendering most Sikligars jobless.

Many among them switched to carpentry, while a few continue to sharpen knives, moving door to door in search of clients.

Interestingly, Sikligar Mohalla is in close proximity with DAV College, one of the biggest colleges of Uttarakhand.

Yet most Sikligars have had little access to education. There are not more than seven graduates in the entire Sikligar Colony.

“With no income support and awareness, education continues to be low priority among the Sikligars,” explained Avtar Singh, a proud graduate from the community.

“As our forefathers in Guru Gobind Singh’s army were engaged in production of weapons, the Sikligar have a technical bent of mind,” says Avtar and seeks vocational courses for the younger generation.

In his late sixties, Teerath Singh cycles along thickly populated mohallas of Dehradun. He earns his livelihood sharpening knives and scissors.

But the job hardly fetches him enough money for a comfortable living. Another knife sharpener, Harcharan Singh, goes as far as Riskhikesh and Mussoorie to explore business prospects.

“It’s hard to get customers as people are no more inclined to get old knives and scissors sharpened, they rather purchase new ones,” says Harcharan.

But there is glimmer of hope for the Sikligars. It has got representation in the Dehradun Municipal Corporation. Jeewan Singh was recently elected to the MC, courtesy the BJP.

Councillor Jeewan Singh admits that his community has least benefited from development. “ I have been trying to sensitise my community members on the importance of education,” he says. “A few Sikligars have managed government jobs, which is commendable,” he says.

He is hopeful that with the younger generation taking to education, things will change for the better.

Waste no more
Neha Walia

There is nothing in this world that can be termed as waste. But since the demons of global warming have started to surface gradually and a lot of emphasis is being given to environmental issues, waste management has become the next big thing in city.

After saying no to smoking and polythene, its solid waste that has caught the green brigade’s eye, and if you ask what, then plenty is happening on this front.

With changing lifestyle and India shining, the last decade has seen an influx of environmental directives like recycling, high technology incineration and landfill management. “It is impossible to consider development without giving much consideration to waste management, whether in terms of social service or a dynamic career option,” says Dr. R.K. Kohli, Coordinator, Centre for Environment and Vocational Studies, PU. Well, sure, considering that we have two major solid waste producing zones in city— PGI and Industrial area. “There is a lot of industrial and biomedical waste that needs to be taken care of. By ignoring it, we are under estimating the hazards of health and environmental issues posed by them,” Dr. Kohli feels. Now that we have an example of creating a masterpiece out of waste in the form of Nek Chand’s Rock Garden, Dr. Kohli has a different style but same mission. Putting his words to action, he has made sure that the cause is taken up seriously. “At CEVS, we have started a two-year course in M.Sc. solid waste management. Started two years back, this course prepares the students for the growing need of managers in MNC’s and hospitals who can manage waste products,” he says.

The department also has some projects underway as well as two patents that are a fine example of adding value to the waste. Dr. Kohli along with his team has converted parthenium, which is considered a poisonous plant, into a fertilizer. “Another form of waste that is harmful but often gets ignored is the poultry waste. It is non-biodegradable and can lead to serious disorders. But we worked on it and have made it biodegradable,” he says. As for the students, “They do have practical assignments but right now we do not have any research project undergoing,” he adds. Not to forget that Dr. Kohli is also working with the Punjab Government at its Nimbua Greenfield, which is the state’s hazardous waste dumping site.

Commenting on the current situation, he says, “No miracle or single technology can change or solve the problem until society is educated and new innovations are made. Chandigarh is losing its character with the growing pollution and improper waste disposal. One needs to change the mindsets and save the resources as well.”